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H. TUTTLE. GRAIN BINDER BAND MAKING MACHINE. No. 547,696. Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

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GRAIN BINDER BAND MAKING MACHINE.

No. 547,696. Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

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GRAIN BINDER BAND MAKING MACHINE.

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GRAIN BINDER BAND MAKING MACHINE.

Patented Oct.8, 1895.

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GRAIN BINDER BAND MAKING MACHINE.

No. 547,696. Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

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(No Model.) 13 SheetsSheet 13.

H. TUTTLE. GRAIN BINDER BAND MAKING MACHINE. No. 547,696.

Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

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6 6.6. mwm/ UNITED STATES IIOSHER TUTTI. I,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOW'A.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,696, dated October 8, 1895.

Application filed June 30, 1888. Serial No. 278,716- (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOSMER TUTTLE,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Binder Band- Making Machines,of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to grain-binders in which straw is used for the band, and the object of my invention is to provide a machine capable of making a band from straw taken from and forming a part of the grain cut by the harvester carrying the grain-binding mechanism in which said straw-band is used. I accomplish this object by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view taken from the rear of a grain-binder constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 9 is a front elevation showing the band-twisting cylinder and the course taken by the band over its supporting-guide and around the end of the trip-lever used to regulate the amount of band produced ahead of its employment by the binder as the latter draws upon it at intervals. Fig. 3 is a top view of the band-twisting mechanism and of the mechanism used to feed the straw to be twisted, but with the straw hopper removed. Fig. 3 is a top view of the straw-supporting table removed from the twisting-cylinder frame. Fig. 4. is a longitudinal vertical section of the strawtwisting mccl1anisn1,showing also the straw-dividing needle and four motion-dividing fingers. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section of the straw-feedingand twisting mechanism on line 1' r of Fig. I). Fig. (3 is a transverse vertical section on line w of Fig. 3, with the finger t} in front of said line. Fig. 7 is atransverse vertical section on line .r it of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 shows in full lines some of the parts of the mechanism in the position that is represented by dotted lines in. Fig. 7. Fig. Sis a transverse vertical sectionon line 3 3 of Fig. 3, looking toward the twister-head. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the upper end of the elevating-aprons, the switch-fingers to direct a. a portion of the grain orstraw from the binderplatform to the straw-band hopper, and also the revolving fingers to advance the straw and the circular cutters to out it. Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the circular cutters with their shafts in elevation. Fig. 11 is a trans verse vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 9, but taken from the opposite end of the supporting-shafts. Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section of the elevatingapron shafts and the board dividing the two canvases in the plane of the circular cutter, and alsoshowing the bottom plate to cover the opening between the edges of the canvas and prevent straw from entering between the two surfaces of the upper elevating-apron. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the straw-dividing fingers, their guido-plate,and operating-chain. Fig. 14 is a rear view of a portion of the twistingcylinder head with the pivoted cutter partly open. Fig. 15 is a vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a top view of the twisting-cylinder and mechanism for advancing the back end of the cylinder and advancing the straw therein. Fig. 17 is a vertical section of the straw-feed needle and its guard. Fig. 18 is a transverse section of the twisting-cylinder head on line 2 a of Fig. 20, showing the twisting device therein. Fig. 19 is a perspective of a portion of the strawsupporting table over the twisting-cylinder and one of the wires to prevent the straw from remaining upon the supporting-table, the retaining-cap being turned on its edge to show the spring-coil. Fig. 20 is a front view of a portion of the twisting-cylinder head'and the rollers to twist and advance the straw. Fig. 21 is an enlarged view in section of aportion 0f the twistiugcylinder head. Fig. 22 is a side view of the needle and the slotted arm carried by said needle. Fig. 23 is an end view of the needle-frame and slotted arm. Fig. M is a top view of the needle and of the slotted arm. Fig. 25 is aside view of the ram and its operating-lever. Fig. 20 represents in side and in end view the straw-pressing fork. Fig. 27 is a side view of the angular arm used to elevate and depress the straw-pressing fork. Fig. 28 is a. front view of'the sleeve in which are placed the slotted cylindrical frames car rying the band-twisting rollers. Fig. 29 is a transverse section of the sleeve on line no. of Fig. 2t. Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the sleeve shown in Fig. 28. Fig. 31 isaperspec- ICO of one of the fingers used to straighten the straw received from the hopper, and also its guidingbloclr, steadying-arm, and operatinglink.

In said drawings the sides of the elevator of a harvstertire shown at 16, to which is secured a plank g ,tha-l1 supports nearly the whole of the band-making mechanism by means of castings and braces, hereinafter described, theoniain dritving-shaft K of said mechanism being also supported at one end an vating-apron, also of gavel.

5 125 of the 5 passing around the lower roller 0f the in a bea ing carried bpa bracket 47, secured to the e evatorframe. The grain-receiving platform is indicated by the numeral 1 and is of ordinary construction,- The bottom eleordinary construction, is shown at 2,andover the latter is mounted the top apron, which is formed in two parts 3 and 4, these two parts being required on account pf the circular cutter 5, p aced on the upper roller of said apron; but to guide and support the inner edges of the parts 3 and 4 a board 6 has its lower end retained on the bottom roller 7 audits upper 691d free to swing with said canvas, and to the under edge of 0 said board (1 a sheet-metal plate ,8 is secured to cover the openings at the edges of the canvas and prevent straw fromentering between the two surfaces of the elevating-apron, and said plate 8 encircles the portihn of the apron upper apron. The elevated grain having passed over the upper roller 26 of the apron 2 falls upon the binder'platform 10 until arrested by the needle during the operation of binding a it accumulates in front thereof and backs up until the pointed revolving fingers 11, secured some distance apart on the feedshaft 12, retained in bearings 20, engage with the straw and advance it toward the hopper band-twisting meohanism,said hopper having its upper end secured to the upper tie'board 1i) and its lower end to the frame of the twisting mechanism, and the latter is secured to the plank g uniting the sides of 50 the elevator-frame.

The above-described operation takes place when the swilchtingers Lfare thrown up, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. ll but if said switch-fingers 14 are turned down, as shown by full lines in Figs. 9 and 11, then the whole current of grain or straw is diverted upward to the revolving fingers and advanced by them to the hopper 13. The size of this current can be regulated or it can be stopped entirely by 50 inclining the switch-fingers more or less away I from the clevat ing'aprons by means ofa hand lever 15 on one end of the shaft 27, carrying said switch-lingers, the lever 15 being locked .in any well known manner. The shaft 12 carries also two revolving cutters 16 and 17 to cut. the proper length of straw, in connection with the two circular cutters 5 on the upper roller of the apron 3, one of said outters 5 being at the front end of the roller 9. The revolving cutters 16 and 17 have radial fingers 18, extending beyond the periphery of said cutters, to force the straw between the cutters and prevent it from slippingback. To the under side of the upper tie-board 19 of the harvester is secured one of the bearings 20 of the shaft 12, and the other bearing is carried by the elevatorframe. The butt-canvas is shown at 21.

that straddle the revolving fingers 11 and prevent the straw from becoming wound around them.

Motion is given to the shaft 12 by means of a gear 23 upon said shaft meshing with a gear 21 upon one end of the upper roller 9 of the apron 3, and said roller is revolved, as usual, by means of a gear 25, meshing with a pinion upon the gudgeon on the end of the upper roller 2(1ot' the lower elevating-apron. The shaft 27, carrying the switch-fingers 14, is supported in bearings 28, secured to the under side of the tie-board 19. To prevent the cutters 5 and 16 from spreading apart, a bearingwire 29 is passed around the upper roller 9 of the apron 3, close to the outside of said cutter 5,and said wire is secured to the tie-board 19 close to the bearing 20 of the shaft 12.

The cutters 5 and 17 are to cut the butts of the,straw evenly, so that said straw will run freely down the hopper 13, and said hopper is made slightly wider at its lower end to prevent any friction of the ends of the straws against its sides. The top of the hopper is left open, so that the attendant can watch the delivery of the straw; but a wire covering or a few Wires 30 are secured over the top of the hopper to keep the wind from blowing the straws from said hopper. The lower cud of the hopper is preferablycurved or semicircular to cause the straw to descend to the lowest point of said concave end, where it has a slotted opening 31 the whole length thereof for the passage of the straw.

To force a few straws at a time downward and separate them from the mass in the hopper the following devices, located at the central point of the length of the hoppeiy'are used-viz: a pressing fork having two horizontal branches a, united to a vertical stein a capable of a vertical up-and-down motion. This stem is guided between hooked lugs b, projecting from the needle-driving frame I), which is rectangular at one end and is elevated by the angular arm at having a loose sliding connection with the stem of, and is .inserted loosely b'etween claws c in one end of the lever (I, pivoted at c to the middle casting A of the frame supporting the open ating mechanism in the middle of the hopper. Then the fork a has been elevated, it. occu pics the position shown by dotted lint-s in Fig. 6. The fork is then advanced toward Lltt', middle of the hopper by the needle-frame Fi and its operating mechanism until said to.

To the under side of the tie-board are also secured the slotted strippers end proyided with a occupies the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7and rests upon the straw. The fork is then depressed upon said straw by means of the cam C operating upon one end of the lever O, and if a larger amount of straw has been gathered under the fork than will allow it to descend the full distance the spring a, mounted on the rod a, passing through the angular arm a permits said arm to descend against the end of the spring or and produces a steady pressure upon the straw without strain of the parts. The straw then rests upon a slotted arm d, vertically adjustable upon the needle-frame, so as to regulate the size of the throat between the beveled end of said arm and the needle B.

To keep the straws from rolling or moving in front of the fork a while the latter is advancing, there is a movable ram or abutment E inthe form of a plate standing on its edge,

that is retained parallel with the frame A by' the book 40 and the sides of a groove in the frame A, and is reciprocated horizontally by means of a lever E pivoted at e to the middle casting A, said lever E having its lower pin adapted to play in a slot b formed in a pendent arm of the needie-frame, so that as it is swnngthe needle B is retracted and the ram E is advanced toward the fork until the forward edge is nearly in the same plane as the end of the branches (1. of said fork. The upper end of the lever E then moves theram in one direction,while the lower end of said lever moves the needle in the opposite direction. The lever E has an arm 32 on one side, having a rollerat the end thereof that travels in a cam .33 upon the shaftf.

The needle B has a straight flattened body, having its top surface wedge-shaped at its front end, with a recess under said front end -to receive the stationary plate A in said recess, and said needle has its rear end rigidly secured to the upper end of its carryingframe. 7

From the top of the needle B projects afin 13 the function of which is nearly similar to that of the ramthat is, it advances the straw toward the middle of the concavity of the hopper and in front of the path traveled by said fin B The frame A has a pro ection A to arrest the straw in that side of the hopper and form a shield for the needle when the latter has advanced nearly to the end of its forward stroke, and under said projection A the frame A carries a vertical plate A Fig. 17, that enters into the vertical slot in the lower face of the needle and prevents said needle from pushing the straw laterally, and as the under side of the. needle is beveled downward from its point said beveled portion forces the straw through the throat formed between it and the slotted arm (1 and brings it upon the vertically-oscillating table F, which is a flat plate having its outer edge flanged upward at 41, and said table supports the straw. The outer edge of said table has arms f, by which it is pivoted to the frame A atf and it is moved up and down a short distance by means of the bent rod F that has its lower end pivoted to one end of the lever F Fig. 8, that is pivoted to the frame A at f and has its opposite end provided with a roller that travels in the groove of a cam F mounted upon the shaftf. The table F has a series of bent wiresf Figs. 19 and 3*, one end of which stands up to keep the straw from entering in the space between the top of the table and the bottom of the hopper and gives a back support to the straw against the tendency of the needle to push it laterally. To retain said wires in the position shown in Fig. 1E), and in the other figures wherein they appear, the rear end of each wire is bent laterally at f and rests in a groove in the table, and to retain the wiresf in said vertical position, but permit them to be laid horizontally when the fingers G pass over them, one end of a coiled springf is secured to the wire and has its. opposite end resting upon the table. The horizontal portion of said wiresf f and also the springj", are covered by a cap F to inclose and protect them. The straw is thus clamped in the middle of its length between ashelff, projecting centrally from the edge of the table, and the bottom of the needle. Now, the needle having separated the proper number of straws to form a strand for the band, the next operation is for the dividing -fingers G, Fig. 33, consisting of a straight rod having an offset at one end, said offset having a roller at its end to diminish friction, to enter the opening formed between the straws in the hopper and the clamped straws at points close to the side of the needle, in fact within the body of said needle, as the latteris slotted at I) for that purpose. These fingers travel upon the table F close to its edge,

and are reciprocated by means of chains 9 and links t, connected to the boss 9', secured to the fingers G, said chainsg passing around sprocket-wheels g having their shaft mounted in bearings 9 projecting from the side of the angular bar g, the'latter being secured to a plank 9 extending across the elevator-frame. The end pieces A A of the frame are united by the bar-casting gand by the flat plate A,

" having a strong longitudinal vertical rib A",

thatis out at two points a for the passage of the roller 9 attached to the square boss q,

havingupon one side asteadying-arm g. The end of this arm is supported upon a hooked flange i pendent from a cross-head I, that rides upon and is-guided by the two long edges of the plate A, said cross-head having flanges i at each end that rest upon said plate, the flanges at one end being chambered or traus-- versely slotted for the reception of the roller 9 The cross-head has alsoa pendent ear 1' on its two sides, and said ears are perforated to receive the finger G and permit it to play lengthwise thcreth rough, although said finger is prevented from rotating, asit is pinned to the boss 9.

lows the rear side of said plate A to the inner slot a or beginning of the path above stated.

The chains g, operating the fingers, are driven in opposite directions by means of the two bevel-gears 'K upon the shaft f, meshing with pinions on the under side of the sprocketwheels carrying the chains.

To hold the separated straw in proper position, wires 71 are passed transversely through the longitudinal rib A Said wires are looped at 71 at one end to keep the separated straw apart, and at the other they are swiveled to a bent lever h that is pivoted to the angular bar g and has its lower end provided with a roller entering a groove in the cam ll. The dividing-finger in its travel advances nearly to the ends of the straw. At this time the straw is held at five different places ready to be seized by the fingers mounted on the twistingcylinder, being held at the center over the shelf f, over the shelves i projecting from the inner edge of the table F, and in con nection with the wires h, the bent end h of which enters the-notch in the edge of said shelves 5 and the fingers G. a l

The fingers G do not pass through the loop in the wire, but pass under the wire and under its loop, and to permit said operation the wire is swiveled to its lever h as follows: To one side of the upper end of said lever is pivoted a lug h, Fig.13, and said lug is perforated to receive the wire 71. To steady the extreme end of said wire a sleeve h is secured thereon and also a steadying-fork W, said sleeve and fork being retained by a nut 71: on the end of the wire and a nut h in front of the lug 'h. The branches of the fork h straddling the lever h", said lever retains the wire in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 13; but at the time that the finger G strikes the pendent end It of the looped wire the cam H, controlling the lever h, depresses the upper portion of said lever, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, and said lever depresses the lower branch of the fork h and gives a quarter-re olution to said w'ire and permits the finger to pass under. Art the same time that the wire receives this quarter-revolution it is pulled back by the lever its to a position ready to. be inserted between the straws that have been separated by the fingers and those above, and it is inserted between said straws by the lever 7L3 resuming the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5. The upper edge of said lever hearing against the under side of the upper branch of the fork it gives to the wire a quarter-turn and brings its looped end at the same time forward between the straws to the position shown in Fig. 5.

Motion is given to the sprocket-wheel 9 carrying the chains g, by means of the beveled gears k, secured to the under side of said sprocket-wheels, and said gears mesh with beveled gear-wheel K, mounted upon the shaft f carried in bearings in the frames A, A and A and upon one end of the latter shaft is secured the gear-wheel K that meshes with the pinion K upon the shaft Kof the strawtwisting cylinder L, which constitutes the main driving-shaft of the baud-forming mechanism. This twisting-cylinder consists of two segmental cylinders placed side by side and having their adjacent sides united and mounted upon a common shaft, and besides this construction each segmental cylinder consists of two sections. The forward'section L is preferably longer than the rear section L Said sections are connected together by the central shaft K and by two parallel rods K Said shaft and rods are secured tothe part L and the part L, which has a closed end, is allowed to slide upon said rods and shaft. When the parts L L are separated, the straw is received in one of the segmental cylinders, and when brought together the straw is advanced butt foremost to and between the twisting-rollers Z,.said rollers also clamping and feeding the straw forward. The section L is pulled back away from the section L by means of the leentering a groove in the sleeve-stem L of said section L The opposite end of the lever L has a roller that enters into the groove of a cam L upon the shaft f.

To look the fingers L down so that they will not fly open by centrifugal motion, the rods K carrying said fingers, have at one end the crank-levers 10 Fig. 16, the free ends of which are adapted to engage with longitudi nal ribs k, projecting-from the side of the hub or stem L of the section L, so that when the two lengths L L of the twisting-cylinder are close together the fingers L are locked; but when these lengths L L are apart, as

shown in Fig. 16, the cranks are free to escape, as the ribs it do not extend close to the head L.

To trim the straw of proper length at the time it is received in the twisting-cylinder, each head of said cylinder is provided with a stationary blade L to cut it, in connection with a curved blade L attached to each of the end fin ers L, that grasps the straw that has become packed under the needle. Two other fingers, as L alongside thereof but narrower and unprovided with a blade, are provided for each of the two lengths L L The three fingers 011 each section of the cylinder are attached to the same hub, and said hub is secured on the rod K Two additional fingers L"* are secured to the rod K and are placed alongside of the needle, one on each side thereof, and they control the actlou of I06 ver L having a forked jaw with pins or lugs I all the others. Each finger has an arm I extending beyond its hub, and to force the fingers open one end ofan arm 'm is advanced against a lug n on the end of the arm Z and pushes it toward the shaft K, and thus opens the point of the fingers in position to engage with and carry the straw within the segmental cylinders. The arm m is secured atm to a rod passing through the frame A,and upon said rod is secured an arm m having its lower end united to a connecting-rod m pivoted to one arm of a bell-crank leverm having its upper arm in the path of a pin m projecting from the side of the gear Kon the shaft f. To close the fingers L one end ofa lever 71, pivoted to an arm 11?, projecting from the surface of the segmental cylinders, is pivoted (in a slot) to the end Z of said fingers, and the opposite end n of the lever 01 extends beyond the path traveled by the segmental cylinder in its revolution and strikes against a roller n", Fig. 8, mounted on a pin projecting from the side of the frame A. The fingers are locked by the mechanism K 7: k before described. After the fingers L have caused the straws to fall into one of the segmental cylinders the movable section Dis advanced against the section L and with it the straw is advanced between the clamping and twisting rollers I, where it overlaps the ends of the straw previously passed between said twisting-rollcrs.

'lhe twisting mechanism is inelosed in and supported by a cylindrical bearing 1, having cogs on its inner surface. Said bearing is bolted to the end frame A. \Vithin the bearing 1 is placed a sleeve 1), having therein and formed integral therewith two smaller sleeves p, and within said sleeves are placed the diamctricaily-slotted frames 1.

liach pair of twisting-rollers is carried in the slotted frame I. Its inner end is cylindrical in part, but has two segmental portions 1, as sl own in Figs. and 31, that carry bearings for the journals of the twisting-rollers. The frame F has at one end a boss P upon which is secured a pinion P that meshes with a stationary gear l", having an internal row of cogs to give a planetary motion to the pinions P The boss P is hollow, and its central perforation l. is elliptical at its inner end and circular at its outer end, and leads into a sheet-metal funnel 1", that directs each single strand of the straw band toward the clamping-rollers I". To give a rotary motion to the twisting-rollers 7, each cylindrical frame I is loosely titted into a sleeve 1), carried by a large sleeve 1), retained in position by the cylindrical recess 4* in its edge fitting around the end 42 of the section L and the bolts p retaining the cap-plate l united to said end 42, and cachsleeve 1) has its internal surface provided with a. triple or quadruple thread, (of great inclination, being about one inch pitch.) and the gearwheel 17 secured upon one end of each of the twistingrcll; *s, meshes with the in ernal screw-thread of the sleevep and thereby obtains its rotation. The outer end of the boss P is also faced and shoulderedat p to form a journal that is loosely fitted into the cap-plate P of the twisting-cylinder. This cap-plate is connected with the forward end 42 of the twisting-cylinder L by means of two bolts 11*, located near the rim of said cap-plate in Fig. 33, the head of one of said bolts being shown in Fig. 21, said bolts passing through the holes 43 in the sleovep; but to prevent the frames P and the sleeve 10 from being jammed tightly between said parts P and -12 of the section L that retain them the sleeve 1) has side lugs to bear against the cap-plate 1. Although I have called the partp a sleeve, the two sleeves p are united at their inner ends to the sleeve p by a disk 17*, having two large perforations, Fig. 30, from the rim of which the rings 19 project, and each of said rings contains one of the cylindrical frames 1. The rollers Z have their journals received in bearings in said frames 1.

To render the twisting-rollers Z yielding to receive more or less straw between them, the journal at one end of each roller bears against a wire spring 1), Figs. 18 and 31, bent in the form of a hook, having its longest end driven in the segmental portion P of the frame I and its shortest end bearing against the journal of the twisting-roller. The lower clamping-roller P on the main frame has rigid bearings, but the upper clamping-roller has its journals pressed upon by bearings retained in the bearing-supports q, and within said supports are placed the springs (1, that press at one end upon the upper journal-bearing and have their upper end adjustably retained by screws q. The two clamping-rollers have gears at one end that mesh together. The shaft of the lower roller P carries upon its extremity a. bevel gear-wheel (1 that meshes with a bevel-gear upon the shaft f and obtains its motion therefrom.

To arrest the making of the band R when a sufficient length has been made ahead of the binding mechanism. said band after leaving the clamping-rollers passes over one of the sheaves r at the uppcrendof an elevated arne R secured to the front elevator-board of a harvester. Fromsaid sheave r it passes down to and around a. sheave r on the outer end of a bell crank lever B", pivoted at r to a metal arm 7", projecting from the rear elevator-board of the harvester. From the sheave r the straw band passes up and around the second sheave r on the end of the arm R and thence around a sheave r to the binding mechanism. The inner or rear end of the lever it" extends but a very short length beyond its pivot, but it engages with the movable half of a clutch r,

mounted upon the shaft K of the twisting-- cylinder, the other member of the clutch forming a part of the hub of the driving sprocketwheel S. As one end of the lever R" is much longer and heavier than the other, its weight is used to regula e the amount of ion 11d pro- IIO slices duced ahead of the binder. When the binding mechanism is pulling onthe band, it elevates the outer or front end of the lever R and throws the members of the clutch'into gear. The band-producing mechanism then produces more band and the front end of the lever gradually drops down until the members of the clutch become disconnected and the band-producing mechanism is arrested, the lever then resting upon a hook 23, secured to the frame of the binder, as shown in Fig. 1, or upon a shelf t, as shown in Fig. 2. As the lever It is extended so far from its pivot, I find it useful to directits outer or front end between guide-rods T, as shown in Fig. 2.

Although Ihavedescribed as aprons and elevating-aprons the means used to carry and elevate the grain, it will be understood that chains or other well-known carriers may be used with my improvements without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now fully described my invention, I claim- 1. In combination with a straw band making mechanism the bottom elevating apron'of a harvester the top elevating apron consisting of two parts, and a plate covering the joint between said parts substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In combination with the bottom elevating apron of a harvester, the top elevator consisting of two parts, its upper roller, and cutter upon said roller between said aprons substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In combination with a straw band making mechanism the bottom elevating apron of a harvester, the top elevating apron consisting of two parts, a roller at the top and bottom of said parts and a dividing board between the edges of said parts substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In combination with the bottom elevating apron of a harvester, and the top elevating apron and its upper roller with cutters upon said roller, the shaft 12 above said upper roller the cutters and the fingers ll thereon substantially as described.

5. In combination with the bottom elevating apron of a harvester, the top elevating apron and its upper roller and cutters upon said roller with the shaft above said upper roller cutters and the fingers 11 upon said shaft and strippers 22 substantially as'and for the purpose described. p

t In combination with the top and bottom elevating aprons of a harvester, a rotary straw feeding mechanism at the upper end of said apron, a hopper 13 located over the top elevating apron, the receiving end of said hopper being adjacent to the rotary feeder, said rotary feeder delivering the straw from'the delivery side of the roller into the hopper, and a straw feeding and band twisting mechanism under the lower end of said hopper substantially as and for the purpose described.

' In combination with the top and bottom elevating aprons of a harvester, a rotary straw feeding mechanism at the upper end of said aprons, an inclined hopper 13 located'over the top elevating apron, the receiving end of said hopper being adjacent to the rotary feeder, deliveringthe straw from thedelivery side of the roller into the hopper, said hopper having its lower end wider than its upper end, and a straw feeding and a band twisting mechanism under the lower end of said nopper substantially as and for the p osedescribed.

8. In combination with the topand bottom elevating aprons of a harvester, a rotary straw feeding mechanism at the upper end of said aprons, a hopper 13 located over the top elevating apron, the receiving end of thdhopper being adjacent to the rotary feeder, the rotary feeder delivering the straw from the'delivery side of the roller into the hoppr, a straw feeding and a band twisting mechanism under the lower end of said hopper, and wires located over said hopper substantially as and for the purpose described? 9. In combination with the top elevating apron of a harvester'its top roll apd cutter thereon, the shaft 12 above said top roll, the cutter thereon, and the wire-bearing uniting the top roll with the support of the shaft 12 substantially as and for the purpose de scribed.

10. In combination with the top elevating apron of a harvester its top roll and cutters thereon and the shaft 12 carrying also cutters thereon, with 'the'gear 23- -24 upon said top roll and shaftsubstantially as and for the purpose described.

11: In combination with the top elevating apron of a harvester its top roll andcutt ers thereon, and the shaft 12 and cutters thereon with radial fingers 18 attached .to a pair of said cutters substantially as and fdrthe purpose described.

12. In combination with the bottom elevating apron of a harvester and the top elevating apron having rotary knives 6 on its upper shaft, a shaft 12 having fingers 1 1 and rotary knives 16 and 17 thereon, the top elevating apron consisting of two parts 3 and 4 having their surfaces in the same plane, a shaft 27 opposite the delivery opening between the- -top and bottom elevating aprons, and a series of switch fingers upon said shaft and placed only oppor.te said opening, and an inclined straw receptaclelocated with its mouth above the upper elevator and opposite the switch fingers substantially as and for the purpose described.

13. In combination with the top elevating apron of a harvester and stro'tary straw feeding mechanism at the upper end of said aprons, ahopper 13 having an inclined bpttom over said top elevating apron a substantially vertical lower end, a segmental cone-ave between said inclined bottom andvertical lower end and having a. slot in the bottom of said concave and a straw feeding mechanism under said hopper substantially as and for the purpose described.

ll. In combination with the top and bottom elevating aprons ofa harvester and the hopper over the said top apron, the needle B and its frame, the fork a carried by said needle frame and adapted to enter said hopper, substantiall as and for the purpose described.

1;). In combination with a straw hopper, the

needle B and its frame with the fork (1, its vertically carrying arms a and a yielding connection between said fork or and said arm substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. The combination of a straw hopper, the needle B and its frame with the slotted arm (I adjustably secured to said frame whereby an adjustable throat is formed between the end of said arm and the needle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

l7. Thecombin'ation of a straw hopper, the needle under said hopper, the needleframe, the ram E having its rapper end entering said hopper and a connecting lever uniting it with theneedle frame substantially as and for the purpose described. a 4

18. The combination of a straw hopper, the needle under said hopper the needle frame having a pendent arm and slot b therein, with the ram E having its upper end entering, said hopper, and a counectinglever uniting said ram with the slot Z1 substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. The combination of a straw hopper, the needle under said hopper, and the fin upon said needle entering said hopper, substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. The combination of a straw hopper, the frame carrying said hopper, the bill A projecting from said frame into the hopper with the needle 1; under said hopper and its finenterlng said hopper opposite said bill substantially as and for the purpose described.

21. The combination of a straw hopper its supporting frame, the needle having a slot longitudinally in the under side thereof with the plate A secured to the supporting frame and adapted to enter the slot in the needle substantially as and for'the purpose described.

22. The combination of a straw hopper its supporting frame and table F pivoted to said frame and having a central sl'ielff extending under the delivery opening ofsaid hopper, and the needle adapted to pass between said hopper and shelf substantially as and for the pur pose described.

23;. The combination of a straw hopper, its supporting frame and table I pivoted to said frame, its connecting rod, the pivoted lever F and its operating cam substantially as and for the purpose described.

it. The combination of a straw hopper, its supporting frame and table Fpivoted to said frame with the bent wiresf pivoted to said table and yieldingly supported substantially as and for the purpose described.

25. The combination of a straw hopper its supporting frame and table F having the shelf f, with the longitudinally and trans versely movable fingers G and the needle B having a slot lengthwise of said needle for the reception of said fingers substantially as and for the purpose described.

26. The combination of a straw hopper, its supporting frame, the connecting plate A, the sprocket wheels 9 chains g and reciprocating fingers G substantially as and for the purpose described.

27. "The combination of a straw hopper, its supporting frame, the connecting plate A having transverse slots and a longitudinal rib, the sprocket wheels 9 chains g cross head I and fingers G substantially as and for the purpose described. I

28. The combination of a straw hopper its supporting frame the connecting plate A, the fingers G passing under said plate and the wires h passing above said plate parallel with the fingers and having a looped end it substantially as and for the purpose described.

29. The combination of a straw hopper, its supporting frame the connecting plate A, the fingers G under said plate, the wires 71. above said plate and having the loop 7L2 at one end, the bent lever h swiveled thereto at the other end and a cam to operate said lever 'substantially as and for the purpose described.

30. The combination of a straw hopper its' supporting frame and table F having the shelff and the shelves t with the longitudinally and transversely movable fingersGa'nd the wires h parallel with said fingers and having the-loop 71.2 at one end and the pendent end k adapted to enter a notch in the end of said shelves substantially as and for the purpose described.

31. The combination of a straw hopper its' supporting frame the connecting plate thereof, the fingers G under said plate, the wires h. above said plate, the bent lever h swiveled to said wires and the steadying fork h straddling said lever substantially as and for the purpose described.

32. The combination of a straw hopper, its supporting frame, the transverse connecting plate thereof, the sprocket wheel 9 the chain g, the arm t the fingers G, the cross head I and the boss g carrying one end of the arm t substantially as and for the purpose described.

33. The combination of a straw hopper its supporting frame and the straw feeding mech anism under said hopper with a straw band twisting cylinder transversely cut; in two parts, one part being adapted to slide lengthwise against the other substantially as and for the purpose described.

34. The combination of a straw hop r, ts supporting frame and the straw feedin -=e-.-h anism under said hopper, with a stra h' lfll twisting cylinder consisting of two hollow mental cylinders united side by side .lrnl 

